Joe Imel/Daily News

CHATTANOOGA, Tenn. When former Indiana fullback Jeremi Johnson decided to transfer to Western Kentucky, the end result was a national championship. The 275-pound product of Louisvilles Ballard High School had what may have been his finest game in the Hilltoppers 34-14 national championship win over McNeese State on Friday night. He caught three passes for 90 yards and did it through adversity. I didnt think he was going to play, WKU coach Jack Harbaugh said. He came up with a bad case of the flu and was getting an IV. It was not a pretty sight. Then all at once he walked over, put his shoulder pads on and said, Lets go. Johnson put the Hilltoppers up 7-0 in the first quarter with a 16-yard screen pass reception on a third-and-11 play. A pair of McNeese State defenders tried to take down Johnson but failed. It was very frustrating, McNeese State linebacker Roderick Royal said. I think I can cover any back, but he took advantage of my aggressiveness. Johnson had another opportunity to showcase his ability in the third quarter. With Western facing a second-and-12 on its first drive of the second half, Johnson found space in the center of the field, grabbed a Jason Michael pass and shimmied his way to a 49-yard reception. But Johnsons most impressive moment of the week might have come during a Thursday night meeting. He made just a great statement, Harbaugh said. He made the statement how much he appreciated the players of Western Kentucky accepting him when they didnt have to. Sams silencedWhen McNeese State thumped Western earlier this year, terrific return man B.J. Sams had 316 all-purpose yards, which set a school record. On Friday, the Hilltoppers made every attempt not to kick toward Sams. After the first punt went out of bounds, I was by the (Western Kentucky) sideline and (Harbaugh) said, Thats what youre going to get all night. They kicked away from me all night, Sams said. Sams was able to return only one punt and one kickoff for a total of 27 yards. Out to seaWestern Kentucky played in its first I-AA championship game Friday night, but WKU Athletics Director Wood Selig wasnt there to see it. Selig was reportedly on a cruise this week and also missed the Hilltoppers win at Georgia Southern last week. OutdrawnAlthough Fridays matchup was a championship game, it was nowhere near a sellout. An announced crowd of 12,360 at the 20,000-plus-seat Finley Stadium had clear sections of empty seats. Despite a 10-hour drive from Lake Charles, La., to Chattanooga, Tenn. compared to a three-hour drive from Bowling Green McNeese State fans clearly outdrew Western supporters. Seeing one stand, it was almost like being in Lake Charles again. You talk about an area that loves football, Harbaugh said. We had a great crowd though, too. King sits on the throneThe reigning Southland Conference Offensive Player of the Year didnt suit up because of a knee injury and Harbaugh thought not having Vick King was a factor. Against Western earlier this year, King rushed for a pair of touchdowns. Backups Marcus Trahan and Jacob Prim combined for 97 rushing yards on 20 carries. Not having him really hamstrung them tonight, Harbaugh said. Hes an outstanding player. Back homeWestern Kentucky was scheduled to arrive in Bowling Green around 2:30 a.m. this morning. Although some sort of official pep rally is expected for the Hilltoppers, nothing has been announced.